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Art Deco is a term that describes an era in the early 20th century as well as a decorative style of art and architecture, including furniture. Art Deco furniture is rounded, curved and emphasizes elegance, luxury and wealth. Complex patterns are common. The patterns and curves of Art Deco furniture may make repairs to veneer seem a little more complex, but modern veneer is quite thin, making it simple to bend around the curves.

1

Examine the damage. The typical types of damage to veneered furniture are cracks, blisters, chips and burns or other surface damage. Chips and surface damage are dealt with similarly; cracks and blisters require a different technique.

2

Look at the woodgrain and try to determine what type of wood it is. This is necessary for chips and surface damage, which require you to replace some of the veneer. Match the grain and color as closely as you can. If you're unsure of what you need, take a photo with you when purchasing supplies to help you match color and grain. You can also order veneer and get some help from the vendor; in this instance, a photo will help the vendor select a good match.

3

Cut away the rough edges of a chip to make smooth, angled edges using a router. You can do the same thing with a sharp craft knife. The edges must be smooth and the glue underneath scraped away. A small chisel can help with removing glue. Diamonds and similar shapes show less than squares and rectangles. For a burn or surface damage, cut a diamond shape around the damage and remove the veneer and glue underneath. Again, use a craft knife and chisel.

4

Create a pattern for the patch with a piece of paper, then cut out a new piece of veneer using the pattern and a craft knife. Dye or stain the veneer to match the old furniture. The best way to do this is to cut a few strips of veneer and test them with different dyes and stains until you get a good match.

5

Fit the veneer before gluing it to make sure that it is the right size and thickness. Modern veneer tends to be thinner than old veneer. If your veneer is too thin, add some thickness underneath with kraft paper or similar material.

6

Spread a thin layer of hide glue or yellow glue onto the furniture body, and press the new veneer piece into place. Clamp it to let it set properly, and sand afterward if needed. Wipe away any excess glue. Put a piece of plastic bag over the repair, then a piece of felt and a wood block for padding, before clamping. The plastic will prevent glue from adhering to the felt, and the wood block keeps the repaired section flat and prevents clamp marks.

7

Heat cracks and blisters with a hair dryer or by placing an old towel over the problem area and pressing with an iron. True Art Deco furniture was made in the 1920s and 30s and the veneer typically attached with hide glue, which can be reactivated with heat. The heat should help the veneer to fit back into place. If the glue does not reactivate and you need to add more glue, cut a slit into the blister and scrape away the glue inside. Add a little more glue underneath, smooth the patch down with a veneer roller, wipe away excess glue and clamp it into place, covering the area first with a piece of plastic bag, felt and a wood block for cushioning. You can fix a crack in the same way, but you will likely not need to cut a slit to put more glue underneath. If there is material missing from the crack and it is not a simple split in the veneer, repair it in the same way as a chip: Add new veneer instead, or, if there is just a little material missing, fill it with a wood filler and paint if necessary.

Things You Will Need

Router

Craft knife

Chisel

Hide or yellow glue

Clamps

Plastic bag

Felt

Wood block

Sandpaper or electric sander

Hair dryer or iron

Towel

Veneer roller

Tips

Art Deco furniture is known for curves, which can make clamping difficult. Examine the area that you will repair prior to starting and determine the best way to clamp down new veneer or to add weight to the repair so that the veneer will match the curves.

Art Deco is known for complex patterns, so you may need more than one color of veneer for your repair.